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IBM, Discovery Education to Provide Free PD in AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Literacy

Key Takeaways

  • IBM and Discovery Education launch free credentialed PD: The initiative aims to train up to 100,000 high school educators over two years in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy through IBM SkillsBuild.
  • Educators gain access to self-paced AI learning modules, industry-recognized credentials from Credly with documented PD hours, and classroom-ready lesson plans.
  • Program scaled through Discovery Education’s network: The collaboration leverages Discovery Education’s professional learning network to expand access across the K–12 ecosystem.

Discovery Education and IBM have partnered to provide free, credentialed professional development for high school educators, focused on AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. The initiative aims to train up to 100,000 educators over the next two years, with courses delivered through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM's free global technology education program.

According to the news announcement, participants will gain access to:

  • Free, self-paced learning modules designed to strengthen educators' understanding of AI and related technologies;
  • Industry-recognized credentials from Credly and documentable professional development hours; and
  • Classroom-ready lesson plans grounded in real-world applications and aligned to educator needs across an array of disciplines.

The collaboration will utilize Discovery Education's professional learning network to scale access to IBM SkillsBuild across the K–12 ecosystem, the companies noted.
 
"IBM SkillsBuild is central to IBM's commitment to skill 30 million people worldwide by 2030," said Lydia Logan, vice president, Global Education and Workforce Development at IBM, in a statement. "Educators play a critical role in preparing students for the future of work. Through this collaboration with Discovery Education, we're helping teachers build practical, workforce-aligned skills in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy that can translate directly into classroom instruction and expanded opportunity for students." 
 
"Emerging technologies, such as AI, have the potential to support educators in delivering excellent instruction with long-lasting impact for students" said Catherine Dunlop, senior vice president of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. "Educators need and want guidance, and that's why this collaboration offers educators industry-recognized credentials and practical insights. Together with IBM, we are creating a powerful bridge for educators between transformative technologies and the daily realities of K-12 instruction." 

The PD resources can be accessed through IBM SkillsBuild here.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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